DR. AMBEDKAR AND THE HINDU CODE BILL 1021
of the Hindu religion before they condemn it or suggest any reform in our society ? That is a very pertinent question. Merely saying that a group of persons from foreign countries do not like it and suggest some modifications in our law or custom cannot be accepted. If we merely try to please a certain group of individuals without judging the background of the views they hold we would be meeting the fate of the donkey, the old man and his son, who tried to please every group of spectators they met on their way. In the beginning they were carrying the donkey and the old man and his son were walking. People laughed at them saying “Here is a man leading a donkey without either he or his son riding” so the old man got up on the donkey leaving the son to walk beside him. Still people laughed at them saying “Here is the old man riding the donkey leaving the poor little boy to walk along.” So the boy also…..
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Every body knows the donkey story.
Shri Bharati (Madras) : Who is the donkey here ?
Dr. Deshmukh : I want to impress upon the people that they are donkeying………
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Details of the donkey story need not be retailed here.
Dr. Deshmukh : I would not have referred to this story but since this donkeying is going on time and again, very sensible people who ought to understand the value of the opinions of foreigners somehow or other try to persuade us and influence us by that mere fact. They say because certain foreigners say something there should be certain changes. I for one would not only not listen to such opinions but would not like anybody to give up his own viewpoint on this ground.
So far as the basis of the Code is concerned it should be introduced only where we find that the circumstances demand it and not force things against the will of the people. It is certainly true that there is a very large body of educated women who are behind this Code. They are said to be very firmly of the opinion that the passing of the Code is necessary. If we analyse the amount of education there is especially among the women of India, we will realise that these women are hardly a drop in the ocean; the number of these women who are asking for a radical reform and changes in our law is extremely small. On the other hand, they are so impatient that they are not prepared even to listen to the other point of view of the ladies who have as much sense as they have except their English or Foreign education. When I was referring to